Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Fourth Report - Parliamentary Scrutiny of the Government’s handling of Covid-19
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
HC 377
Published 10 September 2020
Government response
Fifth Special Report - Parliamentary Scrutiny of the Government’s handling of Covid-19: Government Response to the Committee’s Fourth Report of Session 2019–21 · published 9 Dec 2020
Recommendations & Conclusions
2
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 11
The effectiveness of governance arrangements overseen by the Cabinet Office is something that will continue...
Conclusion
The effectiveness of governance arrangements overseen by the Cabinet Office is something that will continue to be of interest to the Committee and form part of its future work programme.
Government Response Summary
The government details the evolution of its COVID-19 governance arrangements, from initial COBR meetings and Ministerial Implementation Groups to the later establishment of the COVID-19 Strategy and COVID-19 Operations cabinet committees.
14
Recommendation
Acknowledged
The two-monthly reports on the status of non-devolved provisions, published under section 97, should be...
Recommendation
The two-monthly reports on the status of non-devolved provisions, published under section 97, should be an important tool for scrutiny, but as currently structured, the reports do not give enough detail to enable Parliament, experts or the public to do …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognised the need for timely reports with evidence-based arguments and is considering additional helpful information, committing to publish analysis for anniversary debates, building on existing detailed two-month reports.
17
Recommendation
Acknowledged
The Government’s published draft legislation for implementing future local lockdowns (referred to in Chapter 2...
Recommendation
The Government’s published draft legislation for implementing future local lockdowns (referred to in Chapter 2 of this report) should mean that it is easier to publish all information immediately when implementing new local lockdowns or relaxing local lockdowns slowly. However, …
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Government Response Summary
The government notes the committee's concerns, acknowledging past intervals between announcements and regulations. It commits to continually striving for timely future announcements and clearer wording in guidance, but provides no specific actions for viewing the draft legislation as a 'living document' or immediate publication.
19
Conclusion
Acknowledged
Para 86
While the House does not have the power to compel Ministers to cause specific temporary...
Conclusion
While the House does not have the power to compel Ministers to cause specific temporary provisions under the Coronavirus Act to expire, the powers Ministers have under the Act means that Members of the House can still use the six-monthly …
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Government Response Summary
The government shares the committee's view that MPs should use six-monthly reviews to raise concerns and press Ministers on expiring or suspending provisions, citing an example where a Minister acted on such representations.
20
Recommendation
Acknowledged
Para 87
The resolution of the debate will not affect all coronavirus-related legislation.
Recommendation
The resolution of the debate will not affect all coronavirus-related legislation. For example, “lockdown regulations”, are made under the Public Health (Control of Diseases) Act 1984 and would therefore not be legally affected by the six-monthly reviews. The Government should …
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Government Response Summary
The government recognises concerns and hopes existing parliamentary briefings and public records have clarified the statutory basis of legislation, including what is not part of the Coronavirus Act. It also highlights the Secretary of State's commitment to debate significant national regulations before they come into force, where possible.